Yang Style Tai Chi, founded by Yang Luchan (1798-1874), has a history of nearly 200 years. Today, many people around the world practice Yang Style Tai Chi in the martial arts community and society. However, many practitioners have a limited understanding of the “Yin-Yang Reversal Principle in Tai Chi.” To help more people apply the principles of Yang Style Tai Chi, Yang Zhenji, the grandson of Yang Luchan, published the treasured handwritten manuscript of the old Tai Chi manual “32 Movements” along with four papers on the understanding of power, the theory of Tai Chi’s empty connection and countering, the detailed analysis of dimensions after understanding power, and the theory of the existence and extinction of acupuncture points, all of which were made public in 1992 during the publication of his Tai Chi book. These forty writings form the theoretical foundation of Yang Style Tai Chi, making it an important branch of Tai Chi. A central theme throughout this theoretical foundation is the “Yin-Yang Reversal Principle in Tai Chi.”The Yin-Yang Reversal Principle is clearly written in the old Tai Chi manual and is deeply embedded in the principles of the I Ching, manifesting in the practice of Yang Style Tai Chi. The article “A Discussion on the Yin-Yang Reversal Principle in Yang Style Tai Chi and the Essence of Tai Chi Power” attempts to clarify the relationship and practical value between the Yin-Yang Reversal Principle and the essence of Tai Chi power, reflecting the contemporary relevance of traditional martial arts theory. Due to my limited understanding, I hope to receive guidance from fellow practitioners and enthusiasts.1. What is the Yin-Yang Reversal Principle in Tai Chi? The Yin-Yang Reversal Principle is a significant theoretical achievement that emerged during the development of Tai Chi in the era of Yang Luchan, a product of the practice of Tai Chi. The term Tai Chi first appeared in Confucius’s commentary on the I Ching, stating, “Thus, the I Ching has Tai Chi giving rise to the two opposites…”The I Ching is a concentrated embodiment of ancient Chinese cultural philosophy. In the 64 hexagrams, the term Yin-Yang Reversal is not used in the hexagram texts or in the commentaries written by the great sage Confucius. After studying the I Ching tirelessly, we find that the 63rd hexagram represents the reversal of the upper and lower positions, as well as the reversal of water and fire. A thorough examination of the 64 hexagrams reveals that all reversed hexagrams have auspicious meanings. So why did Confucius and later prominent I Ching scholars not explicitly propose the Yin-Yang Reversal Principle? This is because their study of the I Ching was based on texts rather than practical experience in Tai Chi. From this perspective, the theory of Yin-Yang Reversal is a significant contribution of Tai Chi practitioners to traditional Chinese philosophy and a milestone in the development of I Ching studies. Tai Chi is named after the traditional philosophical term “Tai Chi,” and therefore, the practice of Tai Chi must adhere to the guidance of Tai Chi philosophy and cannot violate it. If we focus on discussing Tai Chi through the lens of Yin and Yang, it ceases to be Tai Chi and becomes Yin-Yang Boxing. All of the over 200 styles of martial arts in China contain the principles of Yin-Yang Boxing. What can be done? There is only one theory, which is the Yin-Yang Reversal Principle of Yang Style Tai Chi that this article aims to explain. Taking the 63rd hexagram as an example, the hexagrams Kan and Li reflect the opposing attributes of things in the objective world. In terms of attributes, the Kan hexagram represents Yin (water), while the Li hexagram represents Yang (fire). This natural phenomenon tells us that fire naturally burns upward, while water naturally seeps downward. This natural phenomenon is not a reversal. If water (Kan hexagram) is placed above fire (Li hexagram), this hexagram represents the reversal of water and fire (Yin and Yang). The 63rd hexagram is the reversal hexagram, named Jiji hexagram. For example, consider a growing tree. The sunlight and heat represent Yang, shining down to the roots of the tree. The roots below represent Yin, with water moving upward through the trunk to the leaves. This principle of Yang moving downward and water moving upward supports the tree’s vigorous growth, illustrating the concept of water and fire being in harmony. This is the principle of Yin-Yang Reversal. In physical phenomena, such as firing a gun or a rocket, the propulsion of the gun or rocket can only occur after a backward thrust; the greater the backward force, the faster the forward thrust. In Tai Chi practice, the theory of Yin-Yang Reversal must be integrated. In Wang Zongyue’s Tai Chi Treatise, it states, “When in motion, there is division; when still, there is unity.” The unity in stillness is self-evident in Tai Chi. However, when in motion, division clearly separates Yin and Yang. This is not a contradiction. But if this operation is truly executed, without the harmony of Yin and Yang, it will become Yin-Yang Boxing. How can we achieve “division in motion” to maintain Tai Chi? Only by employing the method of Yin-Yang Reversal can we prevent Yin and Yang from separating, thus maintaining the state of Tai Chi movement. This means that whether in motion or stillness, Tai Chi practice is always in a state of Tai Chi movement.2. The Essence of Tai Chi Power In Tai Chi practice, one must establish the concept that Tai Chi is one, not two, to cultivate the essence of Tai Chi power. As mentioned above, this essence is the power that arises from the Yin-Yang Reversal thinking method, which unifies Yin and Yang into one, known as Tai Chi power. The term “power” is used here to clarify the distinction between “power” and “force.” The Yang family’s old manual strictly differentiates between power and force, stating that “power arises from the muscles, while force arises from the bones.” The primary focus of Tai Chi practice is on muscle power rather than bone force. In the practice of Tai Chi, one’s own power is only expressed when encountering external resistance, thus we do not discuss force here. The “way” referred to here indicates the direction of Tai Chi power, that is, the direction of thought. In practice, one must establish the concept that Tai Chi is one, not two. It is essential to understand that Tai Chi is a whole that contains mutually distinct yet interconnected Yin and Yang. We practice Tai Chi, and we must cultivate the essence of Tai Chi as a unified whole. If we deviate from this concept, we will cultivate Yin-Yang power, which is equivalent to dividing the whole and producing only half of the intended power. This illustrates the difference between the theory of Yin-Yang Reversal and the different powers produced by practicing Yin and Yang. In practical application, one must establish the concept of achieving victory in one move. This means unifying with the opponent, regardless of whether they are attacking or defending. One must harmonize with the opponent’s Yin and Yang. If the opponent attacks with Yin, I respond with Yang; if the opponent attacks with Yang, I respond with Yin. This unity is what is often referred to in Yang Style Tai Chi as achieving victory in one move, not two moves. The essence of Tai Chi power through Yin-Yang Reversal does not involve a transition between offense and defense.3. The Practice and Practical Value of Tai Chi Power Tai Chi and Yin-Yang represent a way of understanding the changes in the world, a concept that forms the worldview. It is believed that Tai Chi arises from Wuji, existing through the interaction of Yin and Yang, leading to the colorful and diverse phenomena of the objective world. Humans are one of the many entities in this objective world. Naturally, human physical sensations, consciousness, and thoughts are closely related to this. The practice of Tai Chi must conform to the laws of this objective world. Since the establishment of Yang Style Tai Chi by Yang Luchan until 1934, through the efforts of three generations of ancestors and numerous disciples and learners, a summary of Tai Chi’s unity with heaven and earth has been encapsulated in the phrase “The essence of Tai Chi lies in the constancy of movement and stillness.” This is clearly stated in the important preface of Yang Chengfu’s book “The Complete Book of Tai Chi Application.” The statement that Tai Chi is unified with heaven and earth indicates that Confucius used the phrase “constancy of movement and stillness” to express the laws of movement in heaven and earth. The integration of these two texts indicates that “the I Ching aligns with heaven and earth, thus able to encompass the way of heaven and earth” (as seen in Confucius’s commentary). I extend Confucius’s statement to say that “the standard of Tai Chi should align with the uniform speed, circular motion, and constancy of movement and stillness of heaven and earth; this standard can encompass the way of Tai Chi.” The practice of power cannot deviate from this standard. Although “The Complete Book of Tai Chi Application” and the Yang family’s old manual “32 Movements” are nearly 200 years apart, they are still part of the same lineage. The thinking method of Yin-Yang Reversal is woven throughout “The Complete Book of Tai Chi Application”; if we practice according to these requirements, we can cultivate Tai Chi power. The practical value of Tai Chi power has been increasingly validated by practitioners. According to Yang Chengfu’s “The Complete Book of Tai Chi Application,” Yang Luchan taught Tai Chi in Beijing and widely shared it with others. He discovered that among his students, those who practiced Tai Chi experienced weight gain, improved health, and recovery from illness, which delighted Yang Luchan! Today, in a fast-paced social environment, as long as one persists in practicing Tai Chi, these effects can be achieved. The key is to practice according to the thirteen requirements set forth by Yang Chengfu in “The Complete Book of Tai Chi Application.” Practicing in a state of relaxation, circularity, slowness, uniform speed, and constancy of movement and stillness will cultivate a habit of “deep, slow, fine, and even” breathing, aligning with a calm breathing state throughout the 24 hours of the day. This allows for more alveoli to exchange air in a calm state, ensuring a sufficient supply of fresh blood to the body. This promotes health, longevity, and vitality! In a state of extended limbs, the bones, muscles, membranes, and smooth muscles of various organs can be fully stretched, facilitating effective and rapid communication between the body’s “sixth sense” (i.e., proprioceptors) and the central nervous system. This enhances the speed of information transmission. Attention should be paid to the waist area to strengthen adrenal function, allowing various hormones to participate in the balanced regulation of the body’s endocrine system. In a calm state, these hormones can quickly release a hundred times more energy when needed. This demonstrates the practical value of Tai Chi power! The Yin-Yang Reversal, the harmony of Yin and Yang, unifying into one Tai Chi, establishes the concept and awareness of “one” through reversal thinking, applicable in competitive sports. For example, in ball sports, the connection of actions when an individual controls the ball is smooth; during passing or sparring between two players, the transitions are fluid and unified. For instance, when player A passes the ball to player B, the ball reaches player B’s hands smoothly, just like the ball hitting the backboard and scoring effortlessly. This is the effect required by the concept of Tai Chi as one. If player A passes the ball to player B, and player B adds an extra action to jump and shoot, this is not the essence of Tai Chi in one move, but rather Yin and Yang as two moves. Adding an extra action wastes time and often results in missed opportunities. Many scoring opportunities in sports are lost due to unnecessary extra moves. In table tennis, skilled players who can execute Tai Chi shots are those who receive the opponent’s ball, unify with it, and return it to the opponent in the most uncomfortable position. In soccer, achieving a Tai Chi level of connection in receiving and passing the ball should be seamless, with no visible transitions in the players’ movements. The best illustration of Tai Chi power is in weightlifting. An athlete cannot lift an ideal weight without first having the intention to lower it. To lift a heavy object upward, there must first be a downward intention. Why do weightlifters naturally do this? It is because they have an objectively existing object in their hands. They are like sanitation workers sweeping the ground; to sweep to the right, they naturally first move the broom to the left to apply force effectively. This is because they have the broom in their hands. In various unarmed sports, athletes must use Tai Chi power through conscious assumption. They must apply the Tai Chi principle of “to go left, first go right; to go up, first go down; to go forward, first go back; to go left, first go right.” Fully utilizing the Tai Chi thinking of Yin-Yang Reversal presented by Yang Style Tai Chi will enhance athletic performance. Tai Chi power can be applied across various sports, including athletics, boxing, ball games, water sports, and weightlifting, contributing to the realization of a strong sports nation dream.
